Category Archives: Selling a Home

Buying a Home, Investing in Real Estate, Selling a Home

Gallatin County Annual Report 2018 Highlights

Residential Real Estate in Gallatin Valley

Here are a few highlights quoted from the latest report:

While the 2017 housing market was marked by renewed optimism fueled by stock market strength, higher wages and a competitive environment for home sales, 2018 delivered a more seasoned prudence toward residential real estate. Home buyers, now steeped in several years of rising prices and low inventory, became more selective in their purchase choices as housing affordability achieved a ten-year low. read more

Investing in Real Estate, Real Estate Trends, Selling a Home

Fewer Unrepresented Sellers (FSBO)

Per the NAR’s end of year 2018 Buyers & Sellers Report, FSBO’s are at a record low.

For-Sale-By-Owner sales accounted for 7%  of all sales – the lowest number recorded in this survey’s history. This number has been steadily declining since a high of 15% in 1981, with more and more owners relying on the expertise of an agent to help navigate the complicated process and intricacies of a home sale. read more

Buying a Home, Home Improvement, Home Trends, Selling a Home

What Affects Property Values?

Some the features that increase property values are obvious-like a remodeled bathroom, a modern kitchen, or a sought-after neighborhood. But here are a few features and circumstances you have not have realized can affect property values.

  • The neighbors: Not every neighborhood or community has an HOA that can keep the neighbors from going overboard with decorations or neglecting to care for their home. Homes adjacent to crazy neighbors can potentially be undervalued.
  • Trendy groceries and coffee: Recent statistics suggest that if your home is a short walk from popular grocery stores like Whole Foods or coffee chains like Starbucks, it can actually appreciate faster than the national average.
  • Mature trees: A big beautiful tree in the front yard is enviable, and it’s not something that can be easily added to any home. Homes with mature trees tend to get a little boost in value.
  • Parking: This isn’t too much of an issue if you live in the suburbs or in a rural area, but residents in dense cities can have real problems with parking, and homeowners might need to rent a spot just to guarantee a place to park each night. That’s why having guaranteed parking in urban areas will raise property values.
  • The front entrance: First impressions matter to buyers-many will cross a home off their list within 10 seconds of stepping through the front door. An appealing front door, a friendly entryway, and a functioning doorbell are all necessities for getting top dollar.
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